About Guns and Gear Guide
Our Mission
Guns and Gear Guide was founded to provide honest, experience-based reviews and guides for firearms enthusiasts, reloaders, and everyday carry practitioners. We believe in transparency, quality over hype, and sharing real-world insights from extensive hands-on testing.
As with many of you, when it comes to acquiring new gear, we believe in thorough research before investing hard-earned money. Our reviews prioritize quality over quantity, and we’re transparent about the fact that expensive doesn’t always mean better. This website offers an honest look at firearms, reloading equipment, everyday carry essentials, and survival gear.
Independence & Transparency
We are not sponsored by any products or brands and will provide full transparency if this should ever change. To learn more about how we support this site financially, please see our earnings disclaimer.
Meet the Founder: Josh Malcolm
Josh Malcolm founded Guns and Gear Guide to share over 35 years of firearms experience with the shooting community. He brings a unique perspective as a civilian firearms enthusiast, competitive shooter, and former firearms rights advocate.
Credentials & Qualifications
- 35+ years of shooting experience
- CORE Certified – Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (British Columbia, 2000)
- Active BC hunting license holder for 25+ years
- IPSC Black Badge certified competitive shooter (2016)
- Valid Canadian Firearms License holder in good standing since early 2000s
- Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) member since founding (2015)
- Former CCFR Field Officer (2018-2024)
- 10+ years of reloading experience, specializing in progressive press systems and precision rifle loads
Expertise & Focus
Josh specializes in practical firearms reviews, reloading equipment testing, and competitive shooting gear. Having loaded tens of thousands of rounds over the past decade, he provides in-depth insights on progressive reloading systems, precision load development, and ammunition cost optimization.
His current focus includes long-range precision shooting, maintaining pistol marksmanship skills, and occasional sporting clays. While he has hunting experience dating back decades, his primary expertise lies in competitive shooting disciplines and technical equipment evaluation.
Transparency & Approach
Josh is transparent about his background: he is not affiliated with law enforcement or military. This civilian perspective allows for honest, relatable reviews from the standpoint of an everyday shooter who values safe, legal, and responsible firearms use. The goal is to remove stigmas around lawful gun ownership while providing practical information without political bias.
Note: Josh is not a certified firearms instructor or ballistics expert. All reloading information is for educational purposes and should be verified against manufacturer load data. See our full disclaimer.